The Dereham couple crossed the line hand in hand but Mrs Henman, 34, a dance teacher, edged ahead of her 43-year-old husband, who is Dereham Town Football Club’s first team manager, with a time of 4hrs 59mins 47secs.

They were given just 10 weeks to train after securing a last-minute place in the marathon.

Mrs Henman said: “That one second will give me bragging rights for many years to come.”

The couple raised more than £3,600 for children’s cancer charity Clic Sargent.